A powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet region on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring 65 others, as rescue teams raced to help survivors and assess the damage. The tremor caused hundreds of homes to collapse, forced thousands of residents to leave their houses and disrupted transport in the remote, mountainous region.
The latest reports on Friday, October 23, said more than 12,000 people had been relocated to safer places. Authorities continued search and rescue operations as emergency workers checked damaged buildings and delivered essential supplies to affected communities.
The earthquake struck at around 10.33 pm local time on Thursday in the Nagqu region of northern Tibet. The area is known for its high altitude, cold weather and scattered settlements, making rescue operations particularly challenging.
Hundreds of homes collapse
At least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsed in the earthquake, according to local authorities. The damage left families without shelter and raised concerns about the safety of buildings that remained standing.
Videos shared by local media showed residents rushing out of their homes as the ground shook. Some people sought shelter outdoors or inside vehicles, fearing that their houses could collapse. Emergency personnel were seen inspecting damaged structures and clearing debris as residents waited for assistance.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) placed the earthquake’s epicentre around 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu, in a sparsely populated part of northern Tibet. It estimated the depth at approximately 18 kilometres. Chinese seismic authorities, however, reported a depth of around 10 kilometres.
Nagqu is located more than 300 kilometres north of Lhasa, the regional capital. The remoteness of the affected area and the distance between settlements could slow the movement of rescue teams and emergency supplies.
Rescue teams mobilised
Chinese authorities deployed police, firefighters and other emergency personnel to support rescue and relief operations. More than 300 police officers were sent to the affected region to inspect damaged buildings, assist residents and help families relocate to safer areas.
More than 1,600 personnel were also mobilised for rescue operations, according to reports. Emergency supplies, including tents, folding beds, prefabricated housing units, quilts and winter clothing, were sent to help people displaced by the earthquake.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for all-out rescue efforts, urging officials to minimise casualties and ensure that injured people received timely medical treatment. Authorities were also instructed to strengthen disaster relief and provide support to residents whose homes had been destroyed.
The number of aftershocks added to concerns about the safety of affected communities. The China Earthquake Networks Center reported that 413 aftershocks had been recorded following the main tremor. Further shaking could threaten damaged structures and make rescue work more difficult.
Transport and communication affected
The earthquake also disrupted transport and communication services in parts of the region. Railway authorities suspended train operations through affected areas as a precaution, while rockfalls forced the closure of a section of National Highway 317.
Authorities restricted access to the affected stretch of road to emergency and rescue vehicles while crews worked to remove debris and restore safe passage.
Communication disruptions in some areas also created challenges for relief teams trying to reach remote settlements and establish contact with residents. Officials continued to assess the damage and identify communities requiring immediate assistance.
Weather conditions could further complicate the rescue effort. Forecasts indicated the possibility of intermittent snowfall over the following three days. With temperatures low in the high-altitude region, providing warm clothing, temporary housing and adequate bedding has become an urgent priority for displaced families.
Tibet lies in a seismically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. The movement of these plates has shaped the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau while creating geological stresses that can trigger powerful earthquakes.
The region and neighbouring parts of western China have experienced several destructive earthquakes. In January 2025, a magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Tingri county in Tibet, killing at least 126 people and damaging thousands of homes.
The latest magnitude-7.0 earthquake is the strongest to strike China since January 2024, according to Reuters. Its impact highlights the risks faced by communities living in remote, high-altitude areas, where damaged roads, severe weather and limited access can delay emergency assistance.
Authorities are continuing to assess the scale of destruction, and the situation could change as teams reach more isolated communities. The reported death toll remains at 16, while 65 people have been injured.
With aftershocks continuing and cold weather expected, the coming days will be crucial for rescue operations and relief efforts. Providing emergency accommodation, restoring transport links and ensuring access to food, medical supplies and warm clothing will remain central to the response.
The earthquake has left communities across northern Tibet facing a difficult recovery, with officials working to assist survivors and prevent further loss of life.
